The answer is, approximately $2.3 Billion. However, that number means nothing in terms of your product. Unlike any other analytical technology, the world of microscopy and imaging is just too fragmented for this question to have any logical meaning.

From the technology standpoint, this market is complex. It encompasses light, electron, and confocal microscopies, scanning white light interferometry, and a whole array of related analytical and scanning probe technologies. To compound this issue: electronic or digital imaging underlies all current microscopies. Finally, there is currently a strong trend for convergence between imaging and traditional spectroscopies, particularly FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared) and Raman.

From the application standpoint, this industry is equally complex, encompassing semiconductors as well as biological and materials sciences; the clinical world as well as forensics; academe as well as industry; biotech and nanotech.

A better question is "Where is my product most likely to be successful in the world of microscopy and related imaging?" T/MIP can find the answers that lead to:

• Realistic, fundable business plans
• More cost-effective technology development and manufacturing
• Better use of existing resources
• Quicker market penetration
• More rapid revenue
• Greater profitability